The PWHL is set to hold neutral-site matches in six different Canadian cities during this season, with plans to introduce new teams as early as the upcoming season. In a repeat from last season, the eight-team league will have games in Quebec City (scheduled for January 11 with Vancouver facing Montreal) and Edmonton (games set for December 27 – Minnesota vs. Vancouver and April 6 – Boston vs. Vancouver).
This season, the league’s Takeover Tour will include four new Canadian cities: Halifax (matches on December 17 – Toronto vs. Montreal and January 11 – Ottawa vs. Boston), Hamilton (game on January 3 – Seattle vs. Toronto), Winnipeg (scheduled for March 22 – Montreal vs. Ottawa), and Calgary (set for April 1 – Toronto vs. Ottawa).
During the league’s previous nine-stop Takeover Tour, over 123,000 fans attended games, which led to Vancouver and Seattle being selected as the league’s two expansion franchises for the upcoming season. The league is now planning to play 16 neutral-site games across 11 locations in North America.
The PWHL’s executive vice president of business operations, Amy Scheer, indicated that the league’s expansion plans include adding two to four teams next year. The league aims to grow its presence following the addition of teams in Vancouver and Seattle.
Last season, games in Quebec City and Edmonton were sold out, with significant interest from fans. Quebec City officials have expressed a desire for a PWHL team to play at the Videotron Centre. In Edmonton, a professional women’s hockey team operated in the past, filling a gap between the new west coast teams and the eastern-based league.
Halifax, one of the two Canadian cities hosting two games this season alongside Edmonton, has never had a professional women’s hockey team. The Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, which hosted a game between the Canadian and American national teams last winter, could be an ideal venue for a PWHL team.
The PWHL’s Takeover Tour will also visit Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., expanding its reach and engaging with fans across North America. The league’s expansion potential and strong fan support are driving its ambition to further grow the tour in the upcoming season.
The full schedule for the PWHL Takeover Tour includes matches in various cities, showcasing the league’s commitment to expanding its footprint and promoting women’s hockey.